dc.contributor.author | Mwira, Teddy | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2022-04-11T02:12:06Z | |
dc.date.available | 2022-04-11T02:12:06Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2022 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Mwira, T. (2022). Analyzing the temporal variability of rainfall and its influence on the water levels over the Lake Victoria basin. (Unpublished undergraduate dissertation). Makerere University | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12281/11579 | |
dc.description | A dissertation submitted to the School of Forestry, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology of Makerere University | en_US |
dc.description.abstract | Understanding rainfall distribution is crucial for sustainable water resource management and
several economic activities. This study investigated the temporal trends of rainfall in the Lake
Victoria basin focusing on Entebbe region for the period of 30 years. An attempt was made to
analyze the annual and seasonal trends of rainfall, and its influence on the fluctuations in the
water levels of Lake Victoria. The study design involved collection and analyses of both rainfall
and water level data. Station based meteorological and hydrological data were processed to
obtain areal averages for simulation.
The methodology consisted of trend analysis of rainfall and water level data sets. Normalization
of raw data for both annual rainfall and water level averages were considered so as to add more
meaning to the results. Percentage change method was applied to determine at what rate water
levels have been fluctuating. Coefficient of variation formula was also applied to the rainfall data
on a monthly basis, seasonally and annually in order to determine the variation of rainfall. The
study also involved correlation analysis method to establish whether there is a relationship
between rainfall and water levels.
Study results showed that there is consistent increase in water levels of Lake Victoria for the past
30 years. The rainfall trend line showed a non-significant trend as tested by Mann Kendall. Time
series statistical tests were applied to examine the temporal trends in three-time segments (1991–
2000, 2001–2010 and 2011–2020) and results showed that rainfall increased intensely post
2010s. There was noticeable variation of seasonal rainfall with rainfall varying much more in dry
seasons (JJA & DJF) than in rainy seasons (MAM & SON). Percentage change method
estimated the rate of change of water levels under varying rainfall characteristics.
Significant correlations were observed between rainfall and water levels although a weak
relationship exists. The study concludes that rainfall influences the lake levels at a lesser extent
although recommends considering analysis at other different points of the Lake Victoria basin.
Rainfall analysis across the whole Lake Victoria basin could be useful to support adaptation
planning of the lake. The information obtained from this study could be used as input for
decision-makers to take appropriate adaptive measures in various water resources sectors.
Keywords: Rainfall variability, water levels, Lake Victoria. | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | Makerere University | en_US |
dc.subject | Rainfall variability | en_US |
dc.subject | Water levels | en_US |
dc.subject | Lake Victoria | en_US |
dc.title | Analyzing the temporal variability of rainfall and its influence on the water levels over the Lake Victoria basin | en_US |
dc.type | Thesis | en_US |